Metascore®Generally favorable reviewsbased on a weighted average of allcritic review scores.

50

out of 100

Wall Street JournalJoe Morgenstern

Shallow down inside, End of Watch is a music-video Frappuccino of quick cuts, sparkling banter, serial crises, grisly violence and tongue-jerk profanity. But the film is exciting, in its manipulative way, and exhausting.

Unlike many action thrillers where the viewer is fairly certain that no real harm can come to the protagonists, such is never the case here. In this gritty ride-along, we sense that anything can happen, which adds to the propulsive momentum of a riveting story.

Parents need to know that End of Watch -- a handheld-footage-style drama about two L.A. police officers -- has all of the violence you'd expect from a mature cop story (guns, shooting, blood, dead bodies, etc.) and then some: Gruesome and horrific violence is committed against women, children, and others. The language, too, is extremely strong and constant, with what seems like hundreds of uses of "f--k" (and plenty other salty words, too). There's strong sexual innuendo, and the main characters are shown to be intimate and affectionate with their wives/girlfriends. No nudity is shown, but there are scantily clad women in a dance club, and two women kiss. Drugs (pot, cocaine) are shown and discussed. Still, End of Watch has a genuine high regard for the bravery and teamwork of police officers.

Families can talk about End of Watch's extreme violence. How much of it was necessary to tell the story? Was it thrilling or frightening? How does its impact compare to the gore of a horror movie?

Are these characters role models? How does the movie make you feel about police officers?

Why do you think language and sexual innuendo are so strong in this movie? Do these characters need it for a release from the pressures of their job? Why?

The characters place a great deal of importance on family, wives, and children. Does their job's dangerous nature increase the need for a family?

The good stuff

Messages: Despite its strong violence and subject matter, End of Watch has a heartfelt appreciation for the bravery, dedication, and heroism of police officers (without being preachy). Cops are shown risking their lives, saving others, and working together.

Role models: Though the two main characters are in a dangerous occupation and could get killed at any moment -- and are prone to using foul language and having occasional outbursts of temper -- they're genuinely brave and heroic, and they work together extremely well. They have a strong, supportive friendship.

What to watch for

Violence: End of Watch goes above and beyond the type of gun violence, shootings, deaths, and blood you'd expect from a cop movie. While on patrol, cops discover horrific scenes -- like two small children tied up with duct tape and locked in a closet, a human trafficking ring with people locked up in inhuman conditions, and mutilated bodies. One character is shown with a knife sticking out of his eye. A huge male thug beats a female cop senseless, battering her face in.

Sex: Heavy sexual innuendo; characters discuss their sexual relationships frankly. The main character is shown kissing and engaging in foreplay with his girlfriend; sex is implied. The other main character is shown to be affectionate with his wife (who's pregnant). One scene takes place inside a dance club with scantily clad women. Two women kiss during this scene.

Language: A constant stream of language includes hundreds of uses of "f--k" and "s--t," as well as "motherf----r," "bitch," "d--k," "ass," "a--hole," "c--k," "hell," "damn," the "N" word, "p---y," "goddamn," "oh my God," and Spanish slang like "puto." "Jesus" and "God" are also used as exclamations.

Consumerism: Mentions of Home Depot and Starbucks.

Drinking, drugs and smoking: In a dance club, a character lights up what looks to be a joint. A stash of cocaine is found and shown. Some minor characters are (alleged) drug dealers.

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